ZCZC
BSS-36
CHATTOGRAM-COX’S BAZAR-RAIL-LINE
Work of Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail line progressing fast
DHAKA, Sept 26, 2018 (BSS)-The construction work of the Chattogram-Cox’s
Bazar rail track, one of the fast track projects of the government, is
progressing fast.
“Construction work of the 102km Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar dual gauge track
is going on in full swing. Already half of the land acquisition has been
completed,” Project Director Mofijur Rahman told BSS. Construction of roads,
bridges, culverts is going on simultaneously,” he added.
The rail line from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar which is expected to complete
by 2022 will facilitate quick travel to the world’s longest sea beach from
the capital. Neighboring India, Nepal and Bhutan will also be connected to
Cox’s Bazar through the existing Dhaka-Kolkata rail route after the
completion of the project.
The rail line will facilitate travelling of over 26,000 passengers
everyday to and from Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar.
In the first phase, Project Director Mofijur Rahman said, the rail line
will be constructed from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar and in second phase the rail
link will be constructed from Cox’s Bazar to Ghundom, Teknaf. The new link
will also form part of the Trans-Asian Rail Route connecting Bangladesh with
its other regional neighbours including China, Myanmar and Thailand, he
added.
Beginning from Dohazari village of Chattogram, the rail line will be
expanded southwards up to Xilongxa of Cox’s Bazar through seven upazilas-
Chandanaish, Satkania and Lohagara of Chattogram and Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar
Sadar, Ramu and Ukhia of Cox’s Bazar.
The project involves the construction of around 200 bridges, culverts
and nine new stations including the iconic Oyster-shaped station at Cox’s
Bazar. Expressing satisfaction over the progress of the work, Rahman said
about 15 percent work has been completed in the last seven months from March
this year.
Rahman said the project is being implemented at a cost of Tk18,034 crore
of which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing Tk12,000 crore in
assistance.
Rail connectivity with Cox’s Bazar is expected to boost tourism as it
will cut travel time from Dhaka by four hours. “People will be able to reach
the coastal resorts in only six hours – four hours ahead of the present
travelling time by the road. Even the journey from Kolkata of the India’s
West Bengal will be only a matter of 16 hours to the resort centre, according
to project documents.
The railways authorities are currently carrying out the acquisition and
demarcation of about 1,390 acres of land needed for the project in
Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and other parts of the route.
The government has planned to complete the rail track from Dohazari-Ramu-
Cox’s Bazar portion by 2020 and the entire project is expected to be
completed by 2022.
On April 19, 2016, the Executive Committee of the National Economic
Council (ECNEC) at its 27th meeting approved the single-line dual-gauge rail
project.
Earlier on July 6, 2010, the ECNEC approved the project for constructing
only a single-line meter gauge track. On September 9, 2014, the government
decided to turn the single line meter gauge project into a dual gauge
project.
The government is rehabilitating the 47-km Chattogram-Dohazari section
with its own funds. The project would play an important role in raising the
GDP growth, considering the economic hub of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
BSS/SPL/KAK/RY/1820 hrs